A giant mural of Brighton and Hove Albion captain Bruno Saltor was defaced with red paint last night, just hours ahead of the team’s first game against arch rivals Crystal Palace since they joined the Premiership.
As well as the red paint on the corner of Church Street and Gardner Street in North Laine, tags reading CPFC also popped up around the city overnight – including on a wall by the Amex Stadium at Falmer.
However, the paint was scrubbed off by 7.30am – by two Brighton and Hove City Council workers – and Albion fans – Kevin Watts and Darren Hoad.
Kevin said: “I was angry when I saw it – it’s pointless. We just did the best we could to remove it. It took about 3/4 of an hour.
“Luckily enough it was still pretty wet and it was only emulsion paint anyway.
“I’ve been supporting the Albion all my life. We are both Albion supporters, and we’ve both got season tickets. I’ll be at the game tonight – I’m a bit nervous but it should be good.
“The rivalry between the two teams has always been there since I was a child. Crystal Palace were the team that we played quite a lot in the old divisions two and three. We took them as a derby.
“The graffiti is all over Brighton – we have just come up to the Amex to get some off there. It’s also in Regent Street and a couple of other places in North Laine itself.
“It’s a bit of a giveaway who’s responsible for the CPFC tags – the red paint I would assume it would be a Crystal Palace fan too.
“Nobody from Brighton would have done that because he’s an icon to the city.”
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “At 6.55am on Tuesday (28 November) we received a report that overnight, red paint had been splashed over a mural on the wall of Gelato Gusto, Gardner St, Brighton.
“It has been recorded as criminal damage.
“Anyone with information can contact Sussex Police on https://sussex.police.uk/appealresponse or call 101, quoting serial 160 of 28/11.”
Albion take on Crystal Palace in the top flight at home for the first time since 1980 this evening, with kick off at 7.45pm.
Chief Inspector Simon Nelson, who is leading the policing operation for the match, said: “There will be an increased police presence around the ground, in the city and in neighbouring towns.
“Security within the ground remains the responsibility of the club, supported by us.
“Sussex Police has been working with partners, including the Albion, British Transport Police and other emergency services colleagues and we are looking forward to a safe and enjoyable match for everyone attending.
“However, we will take all reasonable steps to avoid disorder and anyone intent on causing trouble risks being arrested or ejected and can expect to miss the game.”
Albion have faced their arch rival three previous times st the Amex, losing twice and winning once on St Patrick’s day in 2013.
The rivalry between the teams has been around since the 1970s, and shows no signs of easing up.
This is why we can’t have nice things…